1
as in inspires
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promotes
to help the growth or development of
asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provokes
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the movie's cheap special effects will not encourage audiences to sit on the edge of their seats but to roll in the aisles with laughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in urges
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
the pastor continues to encourage the couple to work out their problems in hopes of saving their marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encourages
Sharing their positive experiences encourages others, especially younger or shier players, to seek help.
—
Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Additionally, a spacious roof terrace provides a communal space for residents that encourages them to get fresh air.
—New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2025
Papa Snoop collaborated with GLAAD for the song in honor of Spirit Day, an annual holiday that encourages people to stand against bullying LGBTQ+ youth.
—James Factora, Them., 17 Oct. 2025
As of now, no illnesses related to this recall have been reported, but Publix encourages customers to remain vigilant.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Nearly one in five (18%) believe their company doesn’t care about their mental health at all, and only 60% say their employer encourages them to seek mental health support, down five points from 2024.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
This culture of humility encourages his company to critique itself instead.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Older neighborhoods throughout much of California face similar issues, as the state encourages developers to build more homes on less land to meet the statewide housing shortage.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
The sheriff’s office advises parents to check children’s backpacks and encourages children to speak up to their teachers.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Additionally, a spacious roof terrace provides a communal space for residents that encourages them to get fresh air.
—New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2025
Papa Snoop collaborated with GLAAD for the song in honor of Spirit Day, an annual holiday that encourages people to stand against bullying LGBTQ+ youth.
—James Factora, Them., 17 Oct. 2025
As of now, no illnesses related to this recall have been reported, but Publix encourages customers to remain vigilant.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Nearly one in five (18%) believe their company doesn’t care about their mental health at all, and only 60% say their employer encourages them to seek mental health support, down five points from 2024.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
This culture of humility encourages his company to critique itself instead.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Older neighborhoods throughout much of California face similar issues, as the state encourages developers to build more homes on less land to meet the statewide housing shortage.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
The sheriff’s office advises parents to check children’s backpacks and encourages children to speak up to their teachers.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourages
Verb
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One look at the SRG landing page inspires an instant torrent of ideas on how to style each piece.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Your voice just might be the one that inspires the room and leaves a lasting impression.—
Nathan Green,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While the device does not replace medical testing, Kohler promotes it as a tool for users to spot changes that might warrant a conversation with a healthcare professional.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
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This year, the festival’s host and beneficiary is Event Zero Foundation, which promotes sustainable event practices.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Through her restraint, Roberts provokes in us some semblance of empathy for her character – in a movie where everyone else is basically monstrous.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
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Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The department urges drone owners and operators to fly responsibly and follow FAA regulations and best practices, whether flying commercially or recreationally.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
15 Oct. 2025
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Lu urges those who have consistent problems with the quality, timing and amount of sleep to seek help from a sleep specialist.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By fostering an internal environment where employees are encouraged to question assumptions, share expertise, and engage in reflective thinking, The Rise Group cultivates the intellectual space needed to pursue meaningful insights.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
17 Oct. 2025
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The company cultivates a variety of fruits and vegetables at its first commercial vertical farm, located in a warehouse in Avondale.—
Sasha Hupka,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Castor oil contains something called ricinoleic acid, which stimulates smooth muscle (the small and large intestines each contain multiple layers) and can mimic the effects of a laxative.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Nostalgia stimulates positive emotional experiences, as well as improving an individual's self-esteem.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Jeanroy squats down, nudges Taïga aside, and starts digging with a cavadou—a sort of pick that resembles a very scary dental tool.—
Aislyn Greene,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
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His arrival stirs faint whispers under the Song statues and quietly nudges Hongmei’s buried past toward the surface.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Amid differing perspectives, West Cal intends to develop technology that fosters collaboration.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
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Top Miami chefs are now serving these oysters, praising their taste and freshness, while the farm’s network also supports smaller producers and fosters a local, farm-to-table oyster culture.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourages. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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